Letter to Gary Player: It's time to put Rory Sabbatini up against Tiger Woods

MONTREAL

Dear Gary,

As your fellow countryman (I was born in Durban, South Africa), I feel I can reach out to you and and make a small request.

I know the legions of Canadians here at the Presidents Cup are talking about a Mike Weir/Tiger Woods match-up in Sunday’s singles matches, a chance for the local hero, such that he is, to cap off a week in the spotlight. I won’t deny the sentimental attraction to such a match-up. But there would be a better pairing, and it would have interest beyond this week’s competition.

It’s time, once and for all, to put Rory Sabbatini up against Tiger Woods and see what he can - or cannot - do against the world’s No. 1.

True, match-play, a format Woods does not excel in, doesn’t speak as loudly as major golf tournaments. But after all the talking Sabbatini has done this year about how “beatable” Woods has become, I can see no better way to put that to the test.

It’s time for Sabbatini to put up some action behind those words.

PGA Tour golf needs a little life injected into it, especially as we head into the late season doldrums. More importantly, golf needs a rivalry. Sabbatini has been doing his best this year to create one, though mostly through little quips to the press. Woods, wisely, has refused to be bated.

Sure, there have been a few Sunday pairings, or near pairings, a few times this year when Sabbatini showed he was no match for Woods when trailing in a tournament.

Let ‘em head out face to face on Sunday. It’ll either end, once and for all, Sabbatini’s talking, or, perhaps, give birth to a rivalry this sport sorely needs.

(And, Gary, given that you could be going into Sunday with no chance at winning the Cup, why not give the fans something to show up for?).

Think about it. Thanks for listening.

Sincerely

Jeff White